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No Barba for Bulldogs in Storm clash

The Bulldogs have confirmed troubled star Ben Barba will not feature against Melbourne.

Getty Images: Ryan Pierse

Canterbury has put to rest Melbourne's suspicions that troubled superstar Ben Barba could play in Thursday night's grand final re-match.

As the Bulldogs boarded their Melbourne-bound plane in Sydney ahead of their AAMI Park clash, there was no sign of Barba, who only returned to training this week after being sidelined by the club while he received counselling for personal issues.

Storm skipper Cameron Smith had declared his side would prepare as if the brilliant full-back was playing, regardless of Bulldogs coach Des Hasler's proclamation he was not available.

Bulldogs captain Michael Ennis told reporters at the airport that although Barba is physically in the right shape to play, he is not ready.

"Ben had a wonderful preseason with us," he said.

"Physically, he met all of the demands and worked extremely hard on his game so, physically, he's in a really good place.

"It's just the off-field stuff he needs to manage."

Ennis says he cannot predict when Barba will return to playing duties.

He says Barba has made a lot of progress and his team-mates are buoyed by his presence at training.

"It's great to see him back around the place," he said.

"I'm glad he's back on track.

"He enjoys being back in the environment he's so familiar with and running around with the ball in hand."